Ellen Ayad
Cardiff, AE
Bio
Bio
Producing Practice
In 2012 I set up an event with a Community Centre in Bristol called ‘Short, Sharp, Shows’ in which we gave a platform to up and coming writers in Bristol, alongside more established writers. Once a quarter I directed a selection of plays, with two professional actors, for and evening of short performances.
In Abu Dhabi, I directed a 10-minute play for the internationally acclaimed ‘Short and Sweet festival, which won a number of awards and was transferred to the Dubai festival. From the success of this play, I was tasked with writing and managing a school production to take to the following year’s festival, in which we won ‘People’s Choice’. Whilst working with the school I produced a number of events with the post 16 students to showcase their performance and artwork to the public.
In 2023 I wrote and produced a bilingual Arabic and English play. In a multicultural country, where Arabic remains the official language, but English is the medium of business, the play was designed to encourage school aged children remain engaged in learning and understanding the importance of Arabic in a multilingual society.
Currently on an MA Arts Management course with RWCMD.
Areas of Expertise
- teaching drama and theatre studies
- stage management
- lighting design for small scale venues
- directing using a range of theatre practitioner styles and methodologies
- conceptualising ideas for new writings or educational plays
- working with young actors and writing for young audiences
Collaboration Interests
I wrote my dissertation for my MEd about the need for more collaboration between schools and arts venues. Using qualitative research, I interviewed children at a Bristol based school and staff working on outreach projects for the Bristol Old Vic, establishing that collaboration holds a range of benefits for young people across a demographic of social groups.
Many of the plays I have written or directed have some sort of inspiration from Shakespeare, and I consider myself well accomplished in his work. I also enjoy site specific work and taking inspiration from Grotowski to set work in non-theatre spaces.
